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Dutch nightclubs won’t open again until November at the earliest

Clubs closed earlier this year due to fears around COVID

Dutch nightclubs are set to be closed until October 31 at the earliest, the government has announced.

A press conference was held last night to provide more information about reopening plans in the region.

Read this next: 1,000 COVID cases have been linked to a festival in the Netherlands

Cafes, restaurants, and similar venues will continue to operate with curfew restrictions, with no operation permitted between midnight and 6:AM. Nightclubs are expected to be one of the last venues to reopen with October 31 being the earliest that clubbers can expect to return.

Social distancing within universities has been scrapped across the country according to the new plans, with mask-wearing to continue and class sizes to be capped.

Read this next: How to help clubs reopen safely and for the long haul

Speaking about the plans, Rutte said:

“I realise that this is again a hard message and that more was hoped for. The work in these sectors can continue, but with one hand tied behind their back for the time being.”

Nightclubs in the Netherlands shut after a spike in COVID cases in the country, with a 500% increase in infections after they reopened in June, and Verknipt Festival reportedly leading to 1,000 new COVID cases.

Read this next: The Netherlands forced to reintroduce restrictions to nightlife and festivals

Meanwhile in the UK, nightlife has reopened, with proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test necessary for entry to clubs. Other countries have continued their reopening efforts, with nightclubs in the US also reopening.

Tope Olufemi is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow them on Twitter